Joe Root pushed back strongly against the suggestion that Pakistan have shown "no fight" in their Test series against England, labeling the comment as "disrespectful" to both sides. Speaking on Sky Sports before the third Test at Edgbaston, Root emphasized that such blanket judgments ignore the nuances of international cricket and undermine the effort of both teams.
England entered the final match of the three‑match series with a 2‑0 lead, having secured convincing victories at Headingley and Lord's. The Pakistani side, meanwhile, endured a turbulent week that saw seven players sent home and seven new faces drafted in after heavy defeats. Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and his assistant Umar Gul were also dismissed, with Mike Hesson – who oversees Pakistan’s limited‑overs squads – and former Australian paceman Ashley Noffke taking charge of the Edgbaston Test.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has launched an internal inquiry into recent media reports about discipline and conduct, adding another layer of distraction for the visitors. When asked how England should approach a side that some commentators described as offering "no fight," Root replied that the characterization was unfair and overly simplistic. "Absolutely we have found Pakistan a challenge," he said. "To say they are not fighting is disrespectful to both Pakistan as a team and to us as a team.
We have not let them get into games simply because we have played well, read the conditions quickly and executed our plans. It is easy to label one side as excellent and the other as poor, but the reality is usually somewhere in the middle. If one team is outstanding, the other cannot be described as poor in absolute terms. We need to appreciate the middle ground and recognise that cricket rarely works in black‑and‑white terms." Root continued, "Regardless of what happened in the first two Tests, this week presents a completely different proposition.
There is a very talented group of players in that dressing room and we have to be ready for whatever they bring. We will make sure we are prepared." The conversation then shifted to England’s opening partnership, specifically the future of Emilio Gay.
Gay has featured in five Tests this summer, registering two half‑centuries but averaging around 23. Younger prospects Jacob Bethell and Jordan Cox have been mentioned as possible alternatives, though Root stressed that those discussions remain hypothetical.
He stressed the importance of context when evaluating Gay’s contributions. "Emilio has been brilliant in the conditions we have had," Root said.
"It would be unfair to have any debate about his place outside of this game. He has played some vital knocks, and context matters when you have low‑scoring games and a low‑scoring series. He has performed well in the toughest conditions we have faced." In other news, the PCB announced that Kevin Pietersen will re‑join the England set‑up for the first time since 2014, this time as a specialist mentor for the white‑ball teams ahead of next year’s Cricket World Cup in Africa.
Pietersen will work alongside head coach Brendon McCullum, Marcus Trescothick, Tim Southee, Jeetan Patel and Sarah Taylor for the upcoming T20 and ODI series against Sri Lanka. Root, who is the only currently active England player to have shared a dressing room with Pietersen, reflected on the potential impact of the former star’s return.
"I am probably the last player still active who played with him," Root said. "I really enjoyed having him as a senior player. I would shadow him in the nets, watch how he practiced, ask for advice and he was always open and honest, especially about handling spin. If he can bring that same level of insight as a coach, it will benefit the whole group." When asked whether Pietersen’s sometimes controversial reputation might cause friction, Root argued that frankness is essential at the highest level.
"You want people to give their honest opinion," he explained. "Why would you involve him if you didn’t want his candid insight? He has a deep understanding of batting, a huge amount of energy and a willingness to speak his mind. I think he will be great for the group and I’m looking forward to his involvement." The third Test begins at 10 am on Wednesday, 9 September, with the first ball scheduled for 11 am, and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event.
For viewers without a Sky subscription, streaming options are available through NOW. The match promises a compelling climax to a series that has already produced two dominant English performances, a reshuffled Pakistani lineup, and plenty of storylines to watch as both sides aim to finish the tour on a high note.